Yes, it’s a real enough issue Nigel. Beekeeping is not alone in having a variable standard of training for starters. At least there is some however, so perhaps we should be grateful for that, imperfect though it may sometimes be.
To be fair, many hobbies don’t have any training for beginners whatsoever. Even what was once spoken of being the UKs biggest participative hobby (angling) 99% relied on your dad taking you or finding a mate. Whether sea angling, fly fishing or coarse fishing - they all have virtually no training structure to support beginners. And are now in free fall decline.
Aside from chickens, most livestock is probably kept by people who just learnt from their parents - good or bad, especially since nearly all the agricultural colleges have now shut up shop - mine is now a housing estate
As I recall BBKA did have a go trying to standardise training with the Course in a Case a few years back, which was provided free of charge to branches as I remember. There was also a Train the Trainers initiative I think - am not sure of the take up of either. One could argue that the standardisation of training is via the modular exam process maybe? Not convinced that helps beginners however.
I suspect some branch tutors would not take kindly to being asked to front a standard curriculum. As Mick has eloquently pointed out, what is true for one area might not be so elsewhere. The problem with a middle of the road national approach is it may satisfy nobody.
As we know, we also need to accomodate a range of views on what good husbandry looks like and how to achieve it, and using a range of means and hives. It’s certainly not straightforward is it?